Butter dispenser

Abstract

In a butter dispenser having a hollow body for receiving a stick of butter and having a closure member at one end, a selectively, rotatable shaft is provided having first a bearing surface for rotating freely within the hole in the closure member, a threaded plug for engaging the threads in the closure member and causing the shaft to be removed through the hole in the closure member when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and having the remainder of the shaft threaded in a second direction to provide a rotating screw drive force against a piston arranged for travel along this remaining portion of the shaft when the shaft is rotated in a second direction.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for holding and dispensing butter or like material comprising: a housing having a first and second end defined thereon, said first end arranged for discharge of the dispensed material;   sealing means for providing sealing closure of said second end of said housing and having a hole positioned therein bearing a screw thread;   a shaft of substantially the same length as said housing having a first portion bearing a screw thread of a first direction and extending substantially the full length of said shaft, and having a second portion bearing a screw thread in a second direction, and having a third portion exhibiting a smooth bearing surface, said shaft being operatively positioned within said sealing means whereby during rotation in a first direction said shaft turns on its bearing surface within said hole in said sealing means, and during rotation in said second direction said second portion of said shaft engages the threads in the hole of said sealing means and withdraws the shaft from the housing;   means affixed to said shaft proximate said third portion for providing selective rotation of said shaft; and   a piston arranged to engage the inside contour of said housing and having a threaded hole therein, and arranged for travel along said first portion of said shaft upon selective rotation of said shaft to provide dispensing pressure upon the butter.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a plug integral with said housing. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said housing is comprised of an elongated tube of rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3 wherein said housing further comprises a diaphanous elongated window along one side thereof proximate said first end. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4 further comprising graduation marks proximate said window. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a cap member arranged to selectively cover said first end of said housing and having edges thereof protruding proximate the extension of said housing, and further comprising attachment means to secure said cap to said housing. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 6 wherein said attachment means comprises a friction means whereby said cap member edges frictionally engage said friction means.